imaginative

adjective

i-'ma-jə-nə-tiv How to pronounce imaginative (audio)
Definition of imaginativenext
1
as in inventive
having the skill and imagination to create new things an imaginative child who is always writing short stories about her pet cat

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in innovative
showing a noteworthy use of the imagination and creativity especially in inventing found an imaginative gadget that can grind the beans and heat the water to brew coffee

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of imaginative Here was an opportunity to be bold and imaginative but only a few clubs, such as Huddersfield Town (again, more on them later), took up the challenge. — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026 There are dance sequences to come, and delight to be had as their own kids demonstrate the same ferocious capacity for imaginative play in later years. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 11 Aug. 2026 Creative flow grows as sensual Venus moves through your 5th House of Creativity, while imaginative Neptune contrasts from your 11th House of Friends and Aspirations. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Aug. 2026 The other, more imaginative name the team had dreamed up was BlackBerry. — HubSpot, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for imaginative
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imaginative
  1. inventive
  2. innovative
  3. creative
  4. clever
  5. talented
Adjective
  • The pies range from classic to super inventive, like the fan favorite Phoenix pizza made with spicy sopresatta, red peppers and hot honey.
    — USA TODAY Network, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Those scares are best exemplified by the film’s most inventive setpiece, where Gemma gets lost in an endless pillow fort filled with baddies around every corner.
    — William Earl, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of inventive
Adjective
  • That has created a rare opportunity for indie devs who want to develop truly creative and innovative titles, many of which can and will become cornerstone franchises of the future.
    — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The Class of 2030 also makes history as the first incoming class to experience Dreamscape Learn, an immersive virtual reality learning platform that brings innovative, experiential learning into the classroom.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of innovative
Adjective
  • Gager stepped down from his role in 2017, but his creative streak remains strong.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • At the new Artistry in Action area at University and Tasso, artists and instructors from the Pacific Art League will take visitors through the creative process — with questions welcome.
    — Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of creative
Adjective
  • The midfielder is a clever front-foot defender, capable of an early tackle or interception to halt opposition momentum.
    — Carl Anka, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Allowing commercial director Joe Pytka to continue that work in a feature film that saw Jordan playing basketball alongside the Looney Tunes characters was a clever extension of the campaign.
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of clever
Adjective
  • The nearby Park Hill high schools themselves have produced a number of talented players.
    — PJ Green August 27, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026
  • My father was a coal miner and a talented musician who would later perform in several local bluegrass bands.
    — Michael Collins, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of talented

Browse Nearby Words

imagination
imaginative
imaginativeness
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Cite this Entry

“Imaginative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imaginative. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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